MARTIAL arts instructor Steve Burton has enjoyed his best Chinese take-away - coming away from a top championship with a gold and silver medal.
Steve is owner of the Dragon Society School of Chinese Martial Arts in Accrington and seven of his most accomplished students were part of a 14-strong United Kingdom team which spent 17 days in China.
They were competing at the sixth International Invitational Chen Tai-Chi championship.
Steve picked up the gold medal in the under 35's New Frame Tai Chi and silver in the Tai Chi Weapons.
"I was amazed when the results were given out, not only a silver medal - which was the first to be announced - but a gold medal also, from the most prestigious competition in China," said Steve, who was also accompanied by his teacher Master Liming Yue.
Steve's team-mates also performed well and were awarded certificates.
"It must have been so daunting for the students but they all did so well. I feel very proud."
The competition, sponsored by the government, was held in the birthplace of Tai Chi, Chen Village and attracted some of the top competitors in the world.
And, while competing, the UK team also came under television scrutiny as the competition was the subject of a documentary by Central Chinese Television.
"It meant we got our medals in front of millions of Chinese viewers," said Steve
He described the whole experience as "overwhelming."
"We were all deeply moved by our experiences in China," said Steve.
Steve is due back in China in January and also for the Tai Chi festival in 2005.
